Following the Ombudsman’s recent findings of maladministration regarding the Commission’s interactions with tobacco lobbyists and its subsequent decision not to bring forward the proposed Council recommendation on smoke-free environments, it is beyond belief that the Commission now appears to have removed plans to publish an evaluation – originally meant to come in 2022 - of the Tobacco Products Directive from its implementation roadmap on the Beating Cancer Plan.
ESMO’s Director of Public Policy, Professor Jean-Yves Blay, stated: “With evidence emerging that new products like e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products pose serious health risks, the Commission’s lack of action in this area is frankly incomprehensible, particularly given the Beating Cancer Plan’s commitment to ‘addressing key risk factors such as tobacco and with the aim to ensure that less than 5% of the population uses tobacco by 2040.’ As we approach the European elections and the appointment of the next College of Commissioners, we call on Europe’s citizenry to vote for candidates who will genuinely prioritize the delivery of the Beating Cancer Plan and not be distracted from this crucial task by the siren calls of the tobacco lobby.”